A TASTE of the East was brought to Shelley after a concert of Indian music and dance in the village hall.

People tucked into chicken karai, onion bhajis and rice following a performance by Bradford-based music and dance group Kala Sangam.

Ann Priestman, chairman of Shelley Community Association, which organised the event, said: "It was a super evening. The hall was packed. It was sold out.

"We had some people who had never eaten a curry before, so it was quite an event for them."

Dancers in traditional clothes performed while musicians with a stringed sitar and a tabla drum played classical Indian music.

Shelley girl Sarah Pugh celebrated her 11th birthday at the concert and took part in the dancing with her party guests.

The concert was the third in a series of performances, staged over 12 months, at the hall.

A jazz night will be held next month and a folk music set will close the series.

The concerts are a new departure for Shelley.

Mrs Priestman said: "We received funding from Kirklees Arts in the Neighbourhood and the Arts Council.

"We wanted to stage a series of different concerts and wanted to make them as good as possible. We have taken a chance with each one, so they appeal to a different type of audience.

"More and more tickets are being sold. The shows have been such a success I think we will carry it on."

Mrs Priestman said the hall holds about 100 people and was being used more as an arts centre.

"Shelley is a bit out of the way, so the hall is ideal for people in Shepley, Kirkburton and Skelmanthorpe, as they do not have to travel very far. But we have had a couple coming from Ashton- under-Lyne because they enjoy the atmosphere so much."